NEW YORK (PIX11) -- An Air Quality Alert was issued in New York City for Friday by the National Weather Service.
The NWS issued the alert for New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Westchester and Rockland Counties from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The alert warns that the Air Quality Index could exceed over 100.
What is the Air Quality Index?
The AQI is used to report daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted the air is and what associated health effects might be a concern.
How does the AQI work?
Think of the AQI as a thermometer that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern.
If you have a low AQI value, this represents good air quality. While an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality.
What are the measurements of the Air Quality Index?
The AQI is divided into six categories. Each category equates to a different level of health concern. See the table below.
| AQI color | Amount of distress | Index Measurement | Description of Air Quality |
| Green | None (Good Air Quality) | Emergency conditions: all members of the general public and sensitive groups will be affected | Little to no health risk |
| Yellow | Moderate | 51-100 | Acceptable, but risky for some |
| Orange | Unhealthy for sensitive groups | 101-150 | This level affects sensitive groups and can be concerning to health |
| Red | Unhealthy | 151-200 | Sensitive groups and members of the general public start to become affected |
| Purple | Very Unhealthy | 201-300 | Can start to cause health risks for all |
| Maroon | Hazardous air quality | 301 and above | Emergency conditions; all members of the general public and sensitive groups will be affected |
Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Get in touch at [email protected].
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